Brentford displayed their promotion credentials with a fine 2-1 win over Norwich City at Carrow Road on Saturday.

The Bees looked in the mood from the start, creating three good chances in the first ten minutes, before goals from Jota in the first half and a second half penalty from Alex Pritchard sealed victory.

It could have been more comfortable had Andre Gray and Jonathan Douglas converted fine chances.

But as it was, two more fine late saves from David Button from Cameron Jerome and Lewis Grabban ensured the Bees remained on top for a win that has them fourth in the Championship table and only two points off the top.

And boss Mark Warbuton reckoned the triumph was as much down to the work done off the pitch as his side's efforts on it.

"I thought we played very well," said boss Mark Warburton.

"We penetrated and were purposeful.

"I thought it was a bit unjust to go in at 1-1 at half-time, given how we had played.

"But then we came out in the second half and increased our energy even more."

He added: "We have an outstanding analytical team who work tirelessly and we do a lot of work with the team.

"The players absorb it and want to take it on board. We had some really good decision-making round the park today."

Brentford could have been ahead within the first five minutes after a simple pass from Stuart Dallas allowed Gray to beat the offside trap, but with just John Ruddy to beat the ball bobbled before he fired wide.

The Bees created another good chance which played Jota into space in the centre of the box, but a great tackle by Martin Olsson halted the attack.

After Norwich cleared the resulting corner they broke quickly, with Gary Hooper free on the left wing and after taking a touch to control the ball, his shot was blocked by David Button.

Yet another good chance saw Dallas fire just over the bar from the edge of the box after good build up play down the left.

Brentford took the lead with a lovely flowing move which started when Moses Odubajo dispossessed Steven Whittaker in midfield.

After advancing into Norwich's half he found Gray, whose precise pass into the box required just a single touch from Jota, who fired into the left hand corner.

Just six minutes later Norwich drew left after Brentford failed to clear a corner from the left.

Nathan Redmond picked it up on the opposite flank, skipped past Jake Bidwell and fired in a low shot, which took a slight deflection as it went through the legs of James Tarkowski and in at Button's near post.

The second half took a while to come to life. For the Bees, Jake Bidwell and Toumani Diagouraga combined well in a tight space from a thrown in an attempt to set up Pritchard, but Ruddy slid out to smother the ball.

A minute later Dallas ghosted down the left wing, before seeing a looping cross come shot drift over the top of the bar.

From another throw in on the left Dallas unleashed a powerful shot, which Ruddy held after initially bobbling the ball.

Great work from Pritchard saw him get the better of his marker and after Gray laid the ball into Jonathan Douglas' path, the skipper saw his shot well saved by Ruddy.

Just past the midway point of the half Brentford nudged ahead again. After Michael Turner and Carlos Cuellar combined to bring down Gray just inside the box, Pritchard calmly despatched the spot kick past Ruddy.

Shortly after Bradley Johnson unleashed a fierce shot, which cannoned off the crossbar and after Cameron Jerome sent in a follow up effort Button produced a top class save to deny him an equaliser.

Jerome knocked the ball down into the path of substitute Lewis Grabban, whose shot was superbly saved by Button, diving low to his right.

Brentford: Button; Odubajo, Dean, Tarkowski, Bidwell; Pritchard, Douglas, Diagouraga, Jota (sub Smith 79), Dallas (sub Toral 87); Gray (sub Long 85).

Subs (not used): Bonham, Craig, Yennaris, Saunders.

Attendance: 26,148